Transfer News: Sheffield United to sign midfielder

Sheffield United are flying at the top of League One and look set to finally return to The Championship after a number of years out. They have strongly been linked with a move for Bradford striker, James Hanson, with the move set to be completed in the coming hours. Now, a tweet from a journalist is suggesting more…

That player appears to be Chesterfield midfielder, Jay O’Shea.

Jay O'Shea set to join Sheff Utd on loan until the end of the season. He told Chesterfield on Friday he wanted the move #SUFC

Despite beginning his career in the Irish leagues, O’Shea began his English career at Birmingham City. Signing a two-year contract with the option of a third should the move suit both parties.

He would be a welcome addition to Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United.

From there, he experienced a number of loans away from St Andrew’s before landing a permanent transfer to MK Dons in the summer of 2011.

Despite featuring regularly for MK during his first season, he fell out of favour in the second. The lack of first team football saw him join current club Chesterfield on loan. That loan, following some promising form, became permanent the following summer.

Since then, he has featured in over 150 games for the club and his seven goals in the 2014-15 season went a long way to helping his side reach the playoff places.

Now, though, it looks like his departure could be one of the first acts of new manager Gary Caldwell’s reign. The former Wigan manager, who oversaw a 0-0 at the weekend, has been given the task of keeping the struggling side in League One.

That task looks to have been made an even tougher prospect, with the news that O’Shea is keen on swapping their relegation battle for United’s title challenge.

Following their draw against Gillingham on Saturday, Chris Wilder’s side sit on 57 points. Two ahead of second placed Scunthorpe and seven clear of Bolton in third.